Oregon Coast
Sunday was a beautiful day for a coastal excursion; sunny and 60°. The ocean beckoned and inside the car, I could almost pretend it was summer.
Before I left, I did a little online research and discovered that the tunnel at Oceanside Beach could only be accessed at low tide, and low tide was at 10a.m. Having learned my lesson at Hug Point, I left home at 6:30 a.m. and started my adventure at nearby Cape Meares State Scenic viewpoint.
Part of the scenic loop has been closed since 2012, due to erosion, but my GPS app didn’t seem to know that.
Just before entering Oceanside, you can pull off the road at Symons State Scenic Viewpoint to take photos. The road splits after the viewpoint with signs pointing to Oceanside on the left and Cape Meares to the right.
Up the hill I went and just when I got worried about the road closure, I saw the entrance to the viewpoint.
Cape Meares
The large parking lot had a beautiful informational structure and two viewing platforms. Looking out at the pristine water and gently rolling waves, I felt that ever-present pull to be down there playing in it. It was a long way down and I knew it was freezing, but the pull was still strong.
Steps from the platform led to a flat, well-maintained wooded trail. Cape Meares lighthouse, the shortest in Oregon, is at the end of the trail and seems so close you could touch it. It is actually below the trail, so follow a small switchback to reach the bottom.
I missed my brother on Sunday. He’s always reminding me to stop walking when I am looking around and taking pictures. Since he wasn’t there I stepped right into a hole!
The view from the switchback, and later on the way back up to the parking lot, was engrossing. Fog hung over the coastline and the three arch rocks were right there. They looked much closer in person than in the photos. The waves were rolling in so gently, they hardly look like they’re moving in the video. (You can see it at the end of the post.)
Octopus Tree
Once I returned to the parking area, I went in search of the famous Octopus tree. It’s a short distance in the opposite direction, past the restrooms if you need a pit stop.
Enclosed by a wooden fence, the Octopus tree is enormous, about 48 feet in diameter. The sign marks it as a heritage tree and asks visitors not to climb on it. I’m sure some people must ignore that sign because it looks like a great climbing tree!
I read that no one is sure if the tree’s shape formed naturally, or from Native American burial ceremonies. A canoe holding the deceased was placed on the branches during ceremonies, when the tree was younger and more pliable.
There are similar trees on the lighthouse path so it could be a natural phenomenon, but the Octopus tree does not seem to have a central trunk.
Oceanside Beach Tunnel
I left Cape Meares and drove back down the hill to Oceanside Beach. Turning right onto the beach, you can see a large cliff (Maxwell Point) and a very small, rectangular opening in the distance.
I felt a bit nervous when I got close because of the sign saying to beware of falling rocks. Standing outside the opening, waiting for my turn, I recalled that the tunnel had been closed for some time because of a rock slide.
Once inside, there were a few yards of flat pavement and then a large log to climb over. After the log, the tunnel became adventurous. I climbed over logs and boulders, using the rough, stone walls to keep my balance.
The tunnel is dark, so I was using my phone’s flashlight feature to see. Don’t try to go through without a light of some kind. It would be very difficult to navigate without light.
Tunnel Beach
Tunnel Beach, on the other side, is photogenic, but not exactly secluded because the tunnel is a popular destination. The Three Arch Rocks lie right off the shore. Not only are they very recognizable landmarks, they are also National Wildlife Preserves.
Back on the other side of the tunnel, as I made my way to the parking lot, I saw a lot of people walking. Some had dogs, one person was using a walker; everyone was enjoying the view and the gorgeous sunny day.
If you’d like some additional information, check out these links:
Friends of Cape Meares Lighthouse
The Outbound: Take a Stroll to Tunnel Beach
Breathtaking! I loved every photo 😀 You, however, need to be careful and stop when taking said photos. We don’t want you to break your leg!
Thanks, Black Knight! I will try to be careful. 🙂
Awesome!!
Thanks, Benjamin!
Loved this post, Alice! I have never heard of ANY of these coastal destinations. Gonna put them all on our list!!!
Hugs!
Thank you, Ayla. I hope you have time to check them out this summer!